An award-winning artist with an extensive exhibition record both nationally and internationally, Kassem received his undergraduate degree from Helwan University in Cairo, Egypt, and his Master of Fine Arts degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). Seeking further painting knowledge, Kassem enrolled in a two-year program of study at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia under Fred Osborne. Kassem has been a painting instructor at PAFA since 2000. He teaches “Painting Over the Line” and “Spontaneous Abstract Painting” at PAFA, the Woodmere Art Museum, the Main Line Art Center and the Wayne Art Center.